ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Tourism
Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel virtually participates in G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting held in Italy today
Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel participated in G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting held in Italy on 4th May 2021. The Minister congratulated Mr Massimo Garavaglia, Minister of Tourism, and Government of Italy for holding G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting in these difficult times and also thanked him for bringing together the member States for a dialogue to collaborate in protecting tourism businesses, jobs and taking initiatives to frame policy guidelines to support the sustainable and resilient recovery of travel and tourism.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Patel said that tourism has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with unprecedented impact on jobs, businesses, communities and the wider economy. He appreciated and supported the focus of the Italian G20 Presidency on recovery and ensuring new opportunities for People, Planet and Prosperity by putting in place Guidelines on the seven key interrelated policy areas: Safe mobility, Crisis management, Resilience, Inclusiveness, Green transformation, Digital transition and Investment and infrastructure which are comprehensive and relevant for resilient, sustainable and inclusive tourism framed with the support of the OECD. He also conveyed India’s support for the Principles for the transition to a green travel and tourism economy submitted by UNWTO as a further contribution to the policy area “Green Transformation” to embrace sustainability in tourism.
Minister for Tourism & Culture, Shri Patel also highlighted the initiatives taken by Ministry of Tourism to promote community-based tourism and rural tourism by involving local population in the employment opportunities and income generating activities through sustainable and responsible tourism. Post COVID, the Ministry’s focus would be on promoting off-beat destinations and places such as nature and eco-tourism, wildlife, wellness retreats, mountaineering and trekking among others. Besides, India has a strong and vibrant system of traditional medicines, which provide for holistic healing. India would like to offer to the world, post COVID-19, calm, peace and health through Yoga, Ayurveda and other forms of traditional treatments and spiritual surroundings. The Minister expressed optimism that the tourism sector would fully recover from the impact of COVID 19 disruption and the sector will emerge stronger post COVID with the roll out of vaccination programs across the countries.
The Minister concluded with the thanks to the Italian G20 Presidency for its leadership and India will continue its support and cooperation to ensure further progress under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA holds International Conference-Cum-Buyer seller meet in Agartala
(APEDA organized an international conference-cum-buyer seller meet in Agartala
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in cooperation with government of Tripura organised an International Conference-cum-Buyer Seller Meet today in Agartala to showcase the export potential of agricultural products from North East Region  and Tripura in particular.
Twenty international buyers from 8 countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Greece participated in it. More than 30 exporters and representatives of FPC/FPO from Tripura, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh also participated. APEDA has taken various initiatives to facilitate exports from the region, which has been identified as a major thrust area for increasing agri exports.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. U. Venkateswarlu, Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura. Manik Lal Dey, Secretary, Agriculture, Shailendra Singh, Special Secretary, Science Technology & Environment Cooperation, Kiran Gitte, Special Secretary, Industries, and senior officials of North East Frontier Railway  Airports Authority of India  also attended the opening event.
Dr. U. Venkateswarlu emphasised that Tripura has some very specific commodities like pineapple, ginger, turmeric among horticultural produce and aromatic rice, corn and some oilseeds among the agricultural produce and the State Government is trying its best to create infrastructure and logistics facilities. Further, he informed that with improved connectivity by rail and road and cross border connectivity being planned through Bangladesh which will open many trade points and provide cost effective transportation. Agriculture Secretary of Tripura, M.L. Dey, elaborated on the strength of Tripura and facilities being created to provide end-to-end value chain.
Representatives from NFR and AAI informed about specific initiatives their organisation has taken up to create facilities for cargo handling. Importers and buyers also spoke about their business, commodities of interest and promised to explore import of commodities especially perishable items from the North East region.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
BIS formulates performance standards for Electric Vehicle Batteries
BIS in the process of publishing two more standard related to batteries for various passenger and goods carrying vehicles
Bureau of Indian Standard, National Standard Body of India, has published standards for Test Specifications for Lithium-ion Traction Battery Packs and Systems  for Electrically Propelled Road Vehicles. The standard IS 17855: 2022 for these battery packs and systems is harmonized with ISO 12405-4: 2018.
This standard incorporates the test procedure for basic characteristic of performance, reliability and electrical functionality for the battery packs and system for either high power or high energy application. This standard is formulated considering real life scenarios for an electric vehicle such as vehicle is in parking , battery system is being shipped , operating battery at low and high temperature etc., accordingly various tests are incorporated in this standard.
Safety and performance are two critical aspects of electronic devices. Requirement of Battery system for use as a power source for propulsion of vehicles are significantly different from battery used for consumer electronics or stationary use.
Electric vehicles are vehicles that operate on electric motor and rechargeable batteries. Over the past decade, Electric vehicles have grown in terms of visibility and availability in the market. For safety of consumer, reliability and safety, Energy storage systems become critical part of any EV. Most of the EVs use Lithium-ion batteries because of its high power to weight ratio.
Further, keeping view on safety aspect of batteries for EV, Bureau of Indian Standard is in the process of publishing 2 more standard related to batteries for various passenger and goods carrying vehicles
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the efforts of Lion conservationists on the occasion of World Lion Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts of Lion conservationists on the occasion of World Lion Day.
In a response to the tweet by Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“On #WorldLionDay, I applaud all those who are working on protecting the majestic lions. India will always be a vibrant home for the grand Asiatic Lion.”
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
The Vice President addresses the Convocation ceremony of Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, agricultural education should become the focus of entrepreneurship- Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar
The Vice President, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar, MoS Shri Chaudhary present medals
The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar was the Chief Guest at the 61st Convocation ceremony of the Post-Graduate School of Indian Agricultural Research Institute  in New Delhi today. The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar presided over the ceremony, while the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary was the special guest on the occasion. In his address, Shri Dhankhar emphasized that agricultural education should become the focus of research and innovation and entrepreneurship for the progress of the country.
The Vice President said that Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, the contribution of farmers has been tremendous. He lauded the commitment of the Agriculture sector, which has provided food security and made it possible to ensure free meals to more than 800 million people, even as the world grappled with the pandemic. He said the India we are seeing today is wonderful. The Vice President underlined India's efforts to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets and its importance for the Agriculture sector across the world. Referring to the increasing use of cutting-edge technology in agriculture including drones, he said that technology is transforming the sector with the changing times. Referring to the steps taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the upliftment of the Agriculture sector, Shri Dhankhar said that more than Rs. 2.20 lakh crore has been transferred to over 11 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi initiative directly into their bank accounts without any middlemen. Describing the Parliament as the temple of democracy, the Vice President said that it is meant for dialogue, debate, discussion, deliberation, which should not become a platform for disruption or unrest. He said that every word spoken in Parliament should come after due consideration.
During the convocation ceremony, the Vice President Shri Dhankhar as well as Shri Tomar and Shri Choudhary gave away medals and prizes to meritorious students. The Vice President also released 16 different varieties of cereals, fruits and vegetables. On this occasion, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. A.K. Singh, Vice Chancellor & Director, IARI, Dr. Anupama Singh, Dean and Joint Director  along with other officers, students and guardians and farmers were present. In the ceremony, 402 students received degrees, including foreign students. Dr. A.K. Singh delivered the welcome speech.
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform to Organise the Fourth Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards 2019
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform is organising the Fourth Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards  on International Women’s Day, Sunday, 8 March 2020.The WTI will recognize 30 finalists and 15 winners will be felicitated. On this occasion, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform also completes two years since its inception.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singhwill be the Chief Guest and will give away the Women Transforming India Awards 2019. Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, Ms Yasmin Al Haque, UN Resident Coordinator in India  and MsAnna Roy, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, will also be present at the event.
The Women Transforming India Awards, instituted four years ago, is NITI Aayog’s endeavourto recognise and celebrate stories of exceptional women changemakers from across India.
Since 2018, the Women Transforming India Awards have been hosted under the aegis of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform on the theme of ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’. The fifteen winners were chosen from a pool of more than 2,300applicants. The Women Entrepreneurship Platform undertook an elaboratefive-month long process to identify inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs who are breaking the glass ceiling. This process included a review of applications, jury and super jury roundswith assistance from mentors and partners of Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform seeks to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women by bringing together stakeholders to offer information and services that will resolve the existing information asymmetry. It was formulated on three pillars: Iccha Shakti,Gyan Shakti and Karma Shakti.It is an aggregator platform for established as well as aspiring entrepreneurs and provides incubator support, mentorship, funding avenues, complianceandtaxation support and peer learning.
Currently, Women Entrepreneurship Platform has 14,000 registered users and has initiated programmes with 30 partners.
The event being held on 8th March 2020, will include a segment with spotlight speakers during which Debjani Ghosh, President NASSCOM;Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder Mann Deshi Bank; and Ani ChoyingDrolma, a Nepalese nun, will take the stage to speak about their journeys basis the three pillars of Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
Ministry of Defence
87th Air Force Day: Air Display
The Indian Air Force proudly celebrates its 87TH anniversary on 08 Oct 2019. A scintillating air display by various aircraft will be the hallmark of the Air Force Day Parade cum Investiture Ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan . Rehearsals for the air display will commence from 01st October 2019 . The general area over which the aircraft will be flying at low levels are Wazirpur bridge – Karwalnagar – Afjalpur - Hindan, Shamli – Jiwana – Chandinagar – Hindan, Hapur – Philkua – Ghaziabad – Hindan.
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BIRDS POSE A VERY SERIOUS THREAT TO FLYING AIRCRAFT, SPECIALLY AT LOW LEVELS. EATABLES THROWN OUT IN THE OPEN ATTRACT BIRDS. TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THE AIRCRAFT, PILOTS AND PEOPLE ON GROUND, THE INDIAN AIR FORCE REQUESTS ALL CITIZENS OF DELHI, GHAZIABAD AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD NOT TO THROW EATABLES AND GARBAGE IN THE OPEN. ALSO, IF THEY FIND ANY CARCASSES/DEAD ANIMALS LYING OUT IN THE OPEN, THEY MUST REPORT THIS MATTER TO THE NEAREST AIR FORCE UNIT/POLICE STATION TO ARRANGE FOR ITS DISPOSAL. ALSO PLEASE CALL/SMS TO THE OFFICER INCHARGE BIRD HAZARD COMBAT TEAM  ON CELL NO. 7031639259
The air display will commence with flag bearing sky divers of the famous AKASH GANGA Team dropping out of an AN-32 aircraft in their colourful canopies, at 0800 hours.
The flypast would include the vintage aircraft, modern transport aircraft and frontline fighter aircraft. The ceremony will conclude at 1052 hours with a spell binding aerobatic display.
Note: Kindly publish the message in the box to help ensure a ‘safe’ FLYING ENVIRONMENT.
AB/BBS
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre to develop framework to check fake reviews on E-Commerce websites
Department of Consumer Affairs holds meeting with stakeholders to discuss issues arising due to fake and deceptive online reviews
The Centre will develop a framework to keep check over fake reviews on E-Commerce websites. The Department of Consumer Affairs  after studying the present mechanism being followed by the E-Commerce entities in India and best practices available globally, will develop these frameworks.
DoCA in association with the Advertising Standards Council of India  along with various stakeholders like E-Commerce entities, Consumer Forums, Law Universities, Lawyers, FICCI, CII, Consumer Rights Activists and others in a meeting discussed the magnitude and roadmap ahead for fake reviews on websites.
Since e-commerce involves a virtual shopping experience without any opportunity to physically view or examine the product, consumers heavily rely on reviews posted on e-commerce platforms to see the opinion and experience of users who have already purchased the good or service.
“Traceability by ensuring the authenticity of the reviewer and the associated liability of the platform are the two key issues here. Also e-com players must disclose as to how they choose the “most relevant reviews” for display in a fair and transparent manner,” said Secretary DoCA, Shri Rohit Kumar Singh said.
All stakeholders agreed that the issue deserves to be monitored closely and appropriate framework governing the fake reviews may be developed to address the issue for protection of consumer interest.
Stakeholders from e-commerce companies claimed that they have frameworks in place by which they monitor fake reviews and would be pleased to take part in developing a legal framework on the issue.
Along with Secretary DoCA, Ms Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary and Mr. Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary attended the meeting. Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO, ASCI highlighted the categories of fake and misleading reviews and their impact on consumer interest. Paid reviews, unverifiable reviews and absence of disclosure in case of incentivised reviews which make it challenging for consumers to recognize genuine reviews were among the issues discussed.AD/NS
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to inaugurate Swasthya Chintan Shivir on 14th July, 2023 at Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, and Health Ministers of States and Union Territories expected to attend Swasthya Chintan Shivir
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the Swasthya Chintan Shivir on 14th July, 2023 at Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The two day Swasthya Chintan Shivir will be organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare. The event will be attended by the Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar and Prof. SP Singh Baghel. Health Ministers of various States and Union Territories as well as senior officials from the Health Ministry and States are expected to join this important event.
The two-day event will begin with tabling of the Action Taken Report of the 14th Convention of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare. It will be followed by sessions focusing on various facets of healthcare in India today. The sessions will highlight four aspects of Ayushman Bharat, including Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana , Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission , Health and Wellness Centres, as well as Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
The thematic sessions will also focus on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, the elimination of measles, rubella, and the implementation of the PCPNDT Act in India. The sessions will highlight the role of Public Health Management Cadre, as well as the status of Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Education in the country.
Discussions will also be held on National Organ Transplant Programme, as well as the District Residency Programme. Additionally, the sessions will focus on the burden of Non-communicable diseases, and Sickle Cell Disease.
The Swasthya Chintan Shivir will have interactive sessions with the stakeholders with the aim to arrive at solutions for healthcare challenges in the country, as well as harness the opportunities to create a healthier nation.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Skill Development fund and employment opportunities
The National Skill Development Fund ,has been helpful in increasing skilling of youth, enabling increased employment opportunities for them. NSDF meets its objectives through National Skill Development Corporation , which is an industry led ‘Not For Profit Company’ set up for building skill development capacity and forging strong linkages with the market. NSDC acts as a catalyst in skill development by providing funding to enterprises, companies and organizations that provide skill training. It also develops appropriate models to enhance, support and coordinate private sector initiatives. The State/Union Territory-wise number of youths trained under schemes implemented by NSDC from the funds disbursed through NSDF is at Annexure I.
NSDC promotes establishment of model and aspirational skill centres known as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra  for imparting skill training in every district throughout the country. A financial assistance of Rs. 231 Crore has been provided by NSDF to NSDC for setting up of PMKKs. 738 PMKKs have been established till date. The State/ UT-wise list of PMKKs established is at Annexure II.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Raj Kumar Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA commemorates 35th Annual General Meeting
Registers Highest Ever Profit in FY 2021-22
IREDA plans an Alternate Investment Fund to tap large institutional investors
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.  under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy commemorated the 35th Annual General Meeting  of IREDA’s shareholders today at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The annual accounts for the financial year 2021-22 were adopted at the AGM.
Addressing the Shareholders, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director , IREDA, highlighted that, "despite 2nd and 3rd waves of COVID-19, IREDA has reported a historic all-time high annual Profit Before Tax  of Rs. 833.84 crore and a Profit After Tax  of Rs. 633.53 crore in FY 2021-22, thereby registering a massive growth of 46.41% and 82.88%, respectively, over FY 2020-21."
The Loan Book of IREDA has grown from Rs. 27,853.92 crore as at the end of FY 2020–21 to Rs. 33,930.61 crore as at the end of FY 2021–22 . The company has achieved the highest-ever loan sanction of Rs. 23,921.06 crore, with a growth of 117.44% over the previous year’s sanction of Rs. 11,001.30 crore and the highest-ever loan disbursement of Rs. 16,070.82 crore, registering a record increase of 82.04% over the previous year. Also, the Net NPAs have been reduced to 3.12% ending FY 2021-22 as against 5.61% at the end of FY 2020-21 and Gross NPAs have been reduced to 5.21% ending FY 2021-22 as against 8.77% at the end of FY 2020-21.
Highlighting the future strategies, CMD, IREDA said, “IREDA is in the process of setting up a debt fund in the form of an Alternate Investment Fund  to tap large Institutional Investors viz, Pension funds, Insurance Funds, Environmental, Social and Governance Funds, etc. AIF will also help IREDA in financing new projects for borrowers who are nearing the exposure limit. Further, the company is also planning to do Asset-Based Securitization  by issuance of Pass-Through Certificates.”
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Status of Avian Influenza in the country
Till 18th January, 2021 outbreaks of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in 5 States for poultry birds and in 9 States for Crow/Migratory/ Wild birds.
Further, Avian Influenza has been confirmed in samples of dead heron from Tis Hazari, New Delhi and in crow from Red Fort, Delhi and advisory in this regard has been issued to the Delhi for taking necessary action.
In Maharashtra, RRTs has been deployed and culling of poultry birds is underway in all the affected epicentres. Culling operations have been completed in CPDO, Mumbai and cleaning and disinfection is in process. Similarly, culling and sanitization operations have been completed in the epicenters of Latur district in Village Kendrewadi, Ahmedpur, Village Sukani, and Village Tondar  in Udgir taluk and village Kurdwadi in Ausa taluk.
Further, in Madhya Pradesh  and Chhattisgarh , RRTs have been deployed for culling of poultry birds around 1Km radius of epicentres of the outbreak in poultry. Culling operation of poultry is continuing in the epicentres of Haryana .
The central team formed for monitoring the situation in the affected areas of the country is visiting the affected sites and has visited Maharashtra to monitor the epicenters of AI outbreak and conducting epidemiological studies. Visit to Kerala is over.
The Department is taking continuous efforts to generate awareness about Avian through platforms including social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook handles.
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